After Midnight [Yeonbin]

2.✨️𝐷𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚✨️

The school days seemed to blur together as Soobin tried to focus on his studies, but his mind kept drifting back to Yeonjun. Ever since their encounter in the school garden, Soobin had been eagerly looking forward to their next meeting. The connection he felt with Yeonjun, both in his dreams and in real life, was undeniable, yet he was still grappling with the contrast between the two.

As Soobin walked into school the next morning, he found himself scanning the hallways for a glimpse of Yeonjun. His heart raced with anticipation, hoping to see the familiar face that had appeared in his dreams so vividly. To Soobin’s relief, Yeonjun was in his first class of the day—English Literature.

Soobin took a seat at the back of the room, his eyes occasionally drifting toward Yeonjun. The new student was absorbed in a book, his serious expression showing deep concentration. As the lesson began, Soobin found it difficult to concentrate on the material, his thoughts constantly interrupted by thoughts of Yeonjun.

After the bell rang, signaling the end of the period, Soobin gathered his belongings and headed to his next class. He spotted Yeonjun in the hallway, standing near his locker. Soobin hesitated for a moment before approaching him. “Hey, Yeonjun,” he said with a friendly wave. “How’s it going?”

Yeonjun looked up from his locker, his face softening into a small smile. “Hey, Soobin. It’s going alright. Just trying to get used to everything here.”

Soobin nodded, feeling a flicker of relief at Yeonjun’s approachable demeanor. “If you need any help or want to grab lunch together, just let me know.”

Yeonjun’s smile widened slightly. “Thanks, I might take you up on that offer.”

As the day progressed, Soobin found himself increasingly aware of Yeonjun’s presence. In each class they shared, Soobin observed Yeonjun’s serious, focused demeanor. It was in stark contrast to the warm, gentle figure from his dreams. The more Soobin tried to reconcile the two images, the more he felt unsettled.

At lunch, Soobin waited at their usual spot in the cafeteria, scanning the room for Yeonjun. When Yeonjun finally arrived, he took a seat across from Soobin, his expression neutral. “Sorry I’m late. I got caught up with some paperwork.”

Soobin nodded, trying to hide his disappointment. “No problem. I was just looking forward to catching up with you.”

Their conversation during lunch was pleasant but somewhat formal. Yeonjun spoke about his previous school and his interests, but he maintained a professional distance. Soobin couldn’t shake the feeling that there was a wall between them, a barrier that prevented the warmth he had experienced in their dream meetings from breaking through.

After lunch, Soobin and Yeonjun walked to the library for their next period. The library was quiet, and they settled into a secluded corner with their books. As they studied, Soobin’s mind wandered back to the dream, wondering if it was just a figment of his imagination or if there was a deeper connection.

“Soobin,” Yeonjun said suddenly, breaking the silence. “Do you ever feel like some people are just… different in ways you can’t explain?”

Soobin looked up, surprised by the question. “Different how?”

Yeonjun paused, choosing his words carefully. “Like, you meet someone, and they seem familiar in a way that doesn’t make sense. It’s like you’ve known them forever, even though you’ve just met.”

Soobin’s heart skipped a beat. “Yeah, I know what you mean. I’ve been feeling that way about you.”

Yeonjun’s eyes widened slightly, and he looked at Soobin with a mixture of curiosity and hesitation. “Really? Why’s that?”

Soobin took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. “I’ve been having these dreams about someone who looks just like you. In the dreams, you’re really kind and comforting. But meeting you in real life has been… different. You seem more serious.”

Yeonjun’s expression softened, and he looked thoughtful. “I’m sorry if I come across as distant. I guess I’ve just been trying to adjust to everything here. It’s not easy starting over at a new school.”

Soobin nodded, feeling a sense of understanding. “I get it. Maybe I was expecting too much too soon.”

Yeonjun gave a reassuring smile. “It’s okay. I appreciate you being upfront about it. I guess I just need some time to get used to things. But if you’re patient with me, I’ll try to be more open.”

Soobin felt a wave of relief. “Thanks, Yeonjun. I’m glad we can talk about this.”

As the afternoon classes continued, Soobin found himself reflecting on their conversation. He was beginning to realize that while Yeonjun’s serious demeanor might be a facade, there was potential for the warmth and gentleness from his dreams to emerge in reality.

After school, Soobin walked home, feeling a mix of hope and uncertainty. The contrast between Yeonjun’s dream persona and his real-life demeanor was still confusing, but Soobin was determined to give their friendship a chance. He couldn’t ignore the feeling that there was something special waiting to be discovered.

As he reached his house, Soobin glanced at his phone, hoping for a message from Yeonjun. There was none, but Soobin remained optimistic. He knew that building a connection with someone was a gradual process, and he was willing to be patient.

That night, as Soobin lay in bed, he closed his eyes and hoped for another dream where Yeonjun’s gentle side would shine through. The dreams had brought him comfort and a sense of connection, and he was eager to see if reality could mirror that sense of warmth.

With a final glance at the moonlight streaming through his window, Soobin drifted off to sleep, his heart filled with a mixture of hope and curiosity about what the future might hold.